Long-time Valley resident Perry (Pete) Peterson (94) died peacefully at his Medford foster home on March 6 with his family at his bedside. Perry and his wife Ann retired to their Williams ranch in 1980 after his distinguished career in the United States government. Perry, born and raised in Omaha, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps immediately out of high school in 1942 to become a B-26 bombardier/navigator in Europe. During World War II he earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with multiple oak leaf clusters, and two Purple Heart medals before being shot down over France and taken prisoner by the Germans in 1944. After the war, Perry earned a Master’s of Arts Degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and then went on to serve 30 years as a United States diplomat for the United States Information Agency with assignments in Germany, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, and India. In retirement in Williams and later Medford, he pursued his loves for his family, grandchildren, ranch, and golf. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, daughter Laurie and son-in-law Tom Petersen in Medford, son Steven and daughter-in-law Mary in Fairfax, Virginia, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.
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